As a travel writer I often have to eat out on my own; it’s usually fine during the day but I have to admit that the evenings can drag, especially when there has been a lot going on in the day and I’d like to share it with someone. Also, as a women, I sometimes feel a bit awkward sitting at the table alone (yes, I know I shouldn’t but I do!) and often spend time on my phone or reading a book just so I have something to do. So I was very interested to hear about a new website that connects women who want to share a meal instead of eating on their own. Founder Cressida Howard tells you all about it here.
Eating alone when you don’t want to may soon be a thing of the past. If you’re a woman who has travelled alone and sat bored, fidgeting, or hiding behind a book at a table for one, then read on and know that help is at hand. Invite For A Bite is a new social network for women that’s all about taking the sting out of solo dining. It’s simple: create an invite to meet and eat, and see who’s up for joining you. Use it whether you’re stuck at home or travelling thousands of miles away.
Take a moment to imagine an Invite For A Bite world and then decide if it’s for you. You’re travelling alone, having a fantastic time. But the evening shadows are falling. Do you want to go into a bar alone? Do you want to sit at a candlelit table for one surrounded by other people having fun? Or do you want to meet some new and friendly faces, have a chat, talk about what you’ve seen and where you’re going tomorrow?
Call me quirky but I’d like to do the latter! That’s why I launched Invite For A Bite on March 8th this year (International Women’s Day for you date spotters!). I’ve created the site that I wanted to join. It’s women-only because I like to keep things simple. A simple meal out with a friendly person. No mixed messages or quasi-dates to negotiate. Just an evening (or lunch if you prefer!) in the company of other women. With quite a few laughs thrown in. Can’t you feel your shoulders relaxing at the thought?
If, like me, you find this appealing, then you’re not alone. Women from all over the world have already joined up. They’re in America, Mexico, Germany, Scotland, Canada, England, Vietnam and beyond! They’ve already created invites in New York, Toronto, LA, Galway and Addis Ababa (to name a few). Join these pioneering women and make the days of eating out alone a thing of the past!
Cressida Howard, founder of Invite For A Bite, spent time travelling and teaching in Barcelona, Granada and Tokyo, and now lives in Cheltenham, in the heart of the English Cotswolds.
From Zoë Dawes:
I think this is a great idea. It is good to have more options for solo travellers (men and women) and this is another one for us to share. I’ve registered and look forward to joining other women travellers for a bite to eat sometime.
From Cressida Howard:
Thanks for registering Zoe, definitely look forward to inviting you for a bite one day
From Zoë Dawes:
Look forward to it Cressida.
From Vicki Edmunds:
Congratulations Cressida. I also run a website connecting people through food and it is open to everyone. http://www.eatwithalocal.com connects travellers to local people willing to cook for them in their home. Or if a member cannot host at home they can choose to take the visitor out to their favourite restaurant for a meal. It is a great way of getting to know the culture of a country eating and meeting with the locals. As a woman I am looking forward to joining your site too.
Best wishes,
Vicki
From Zoë Dawes:
Another great idea Vicki – good luck with it